The Graduate School’s office of Graduate Student Affairs (GSA) offers programming to support the success of graduate students during and beyond their time at the UW. We partner with Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE), UW Libraries Open & Interdisciplinary Research Support, and the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE) to develop community-building, wellness, and professional development events and workshops for all graduate students, including first-generation and international graduate students.
Below are our offerings, and refer to our calendar on this page for listings:
Graduate Student Bulletin
Release once per month – Fall to Spring
Graduate Student Affairs releases a monthly graduate student bulletin, emailed to all new and returning graduate students across the UW tri-campus. The bulletin includes tips and strategies to support graduate student success, as well as events, university resources, and funding opportunities.
First-Generation Graduate Students
Our office collaborates with Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) to offer programming that is open to first-generation graduate students. Events and programming focus on supporting graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences. Programming is open to all UW graduate students, faculty and staff, and those who share the goal of promoting a supportive and encouraging environment for all.
Events open to first-generation graduate students:
Fall 2026:
- Community Connections (Virtual panel) – October 27, 2026, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. (PT) / RSVP
- Community Connections (In-person reception) – October 28, 2026, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. (PT), Seattle campus / RSVP
- Thriving in Graduate School Workshop (Online) – November 5, 2026, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Winter 2027:
- Thriving in Graduate School Workshop (Online) – February 11, 2027, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Spring 2027:
- Spring Soirée (In person) – May 13, 2027, 4 – 7:30 p.m. (PT), Seattle campus
Scholars’ Studio
Scholars’ Studio is a fun, informal event that features 10 lightning-talks (5 min. each) given by graduate students about their capstone or research projects. This event is an opportunity for graduate students to hone presentation skills and share research across disciplines. Hosted by the UW Libraries Research Commons and Graduate Student Affairs.
Fall 2026:
- Submit a proposal – October 29, 2026 by 5 p.m. (PT)
- In-person event – November 19, 2026, 3 – 4 p.m. (PT), Seattle campus
Winter 2027:
- Online event – March 4, 2027, 3 – 4 p.m. (PST)
Exploring Professions Beyond Academia: A 2-Day Career Symposium for PhD Students
Have you reflected on future career paths after receiving your Ph.D.? Are you interested in career paths beyond academia? This symposium will provide you with insights, tools, informational resources, and professional connections to support your career exploration. This event is a collaboration between Graduate Student Affairs and the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE).
Winter 2027:
- Day 1 for Ph.D. students in Social Sciences & Humanities – January 13, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., In person, Seattle campus
- Day 2 for Ph.D. students in Sciences & Engineering – January 20, 2027, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., In person, Seattle campus
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a professional development competition that celebrates the capstone and research experiences of master’s and doctoral students at UW. The competition supports graduate students’ capacity to effectively explain their research or capstone project in just three minutes, in a language appropriate to a public audience. This event is a collaboration of The Graduate School’s office of Graduate Student Affairs, UW Libraries Open & Interdisciplinary Research Support, and Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE).
Spring 2027:
- Event – May 17, 2027, 4 – 6 p.m., In person, Seattle campus
Contact
Send questions to uwgsa@uw.edu